The following flexibilities in response to Hurricane Nicole, expired November 30:
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Indiana Health Coverage Programs (IHCP) posted a provider Bulletin which includes billing guidance for pediatric vaccine counseling and pharmacy reimbursement updates for COVID vaccine administration.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Kentucky Pharmacy Education & Research Foundation (KPERF), the Kentucky Pharmacists Association’s tax-exempt charitable foundation, recently announced a funding opportunity for pharmacist-led non-invasive colorectal cancer (CRC) screening for which they are seeking pharmacy applicants. They will choose six pharmacies based on their readiness, the expectation that they can see ten patients per month, their geographical location in Kentucky and the needs of their community. As a reminder, in 2021, the Board of Pharmacy approved a colorectal cancer screening protocol allowing pharmacists to initiate the dispensing of noninvasive stool-based CRC screening patients aged 45-85 years at average risk for colorectal cancer. For more information on this protocol and all pharmacy protocols approved in the state, click here.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Jill McCormack at 717-592-8977.
The Department of Health issued a Medicaid Bulletin 22-38 with updates and requirements for the provider enrollment portal.
Also in Louisiana, Medicaid expanded its “Shot per 100,000” COVID-19 vaccine incentive program to include booster shots. Those age 5 years and older who received their first or second dose of the vaccine on or after April 5, 2022, qualify for this incentive, as do those age 6 months to age 4 years who were vaccinated with their first or second dose on or after July 5, 2022 and those age 6 months and older who received a vaccine booster dose on or after October 1, 2022, are all eligible for the $200 gift card.
Also in Louisiana, the new Preferred Drug List (PDL) update will be implemented January 1, 2023. There were no new therapeutic classes added to the PDL during the Fall 2022 Pharmaceutical & Therapeutics (P&T) Committee review.
Finally in Louisiana, Medicaid will include six health plans beginning January 1, 2023. They are Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas, Healthy Blue Louisiana, Humana Healthy Horizons, Louisiana Healthcare Connections and UnitedHealthcare. Prior to January 1, 2023, most Medicaid members were auto-assigned to one of the Medicaid health plans. Attached is a communications toolkit.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
The Department of Public Health and Board of Pharmacy would like to remind pharmacies operating of the Standing Order for Dispensing Emergency Contraception Pills and the law regarding the mandatory coverage of a 12-month supply of oral contraceptives as well as the below policy changes.
Standing Order for Dispensing Emergency Contraception Pills
A statewide standing order is now in place for pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception pills. Please visit this webpage for FAQs as well as a copy of the standing order.
Oral Contraceptives
Most Massachusetts insurance plans, including MassHealth, Group Insurance Commission and private insurers, are required to cover a 12-month supply of birth control pills to be dispensed all at once. Check with the insurer for any questions.
Changes to Prescriptions
Please note that pharmacists are permitted to make quantity changes for drugs that do not require PMP [Prescription Monitoring Program] reporting in accordance with Board policy.
Please be aware that MassHealth is changing prescription drug days’ supply limitations, effective December 19. Pharmacists are permitted to make quantity changes for drugs that do not require PMP [Prescription Monitoring Program] reporting in accordance with Board policy.
Vaccine Administration by Qualified Pharmacy Technicians
Please review updated training requirements.
Automated Pharmacy Systems (APS)
Policy changes include requirements for Schedule IV, V or Schedule VI additional drugs such as gabapentin in an APS for patient pickup.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Leigh Knotts at 803-243-7207.
The Board of Pharmacy will conduct a Full Board Meeting via conference call on December 9 at 9:30 a.m. See the board meetings page for details. Note: the following on the agenda.
Also in Montana, the Cheyenne Department of Veterans Affairs reported that two (2) prescription pads have either been lost or stolen. The prescription pads are serialized and numbered:
If you receive or have received hardcopy prescriptions within these serialized numbers, please contact the Board of Pharmacy office.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) posted a Health Alert for COVID-19 Therapeutics Updates and Shortages of Oseltamivir, Amoxicillin, & Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (December 8).
Also in Nebraska, the DHHS posted a Notice of Public Hearing has been posted for changes to Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC), including Wholesale Drug Distributors (172 NAC 131) and Delegated Dispensing Permits (172 NAC 134). The hearing will be held on January 10, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Written comments may be provided no later than the day of the hearing.
Finally in Nebraska, the DHHS announced the issuance of Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) benefits to certain Nebraska households.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Sandra Guckian at 703-774-4801.
Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Steve Yeager (D) announced several new members of the Democratic Caucus leadership team for the 2023 biennial legislative session. They are Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui, Majority Floor Leader, and Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, Chair of Assembly Ways & Means Committee.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.
Walgreens pharmacist Amy Bachyrycz and Dale Tinker, Executive Director of the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, were honored last week by the New Mexico Immunization Coalition, receiving the “Immunization Champion” award.
For more information, contact NACDS’ Mary Staples at 817-442-1155.